KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Kedoshim | לא תקום ולא תטור - Vengeance AND/OR/ON ACCOUNT OF Bearing a Grudge, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The crescendo of laws governing interpersonal relationships is undoubtedly "You shall love your fellow as yourself" - ואהבת לרעך כמוך. This command is prefaced with an unusual pair of prohibitions - לא תקום ולא תטור את בני עמך - "Do not take vengeance nor hold a grudge against the members of your people." (Lev. 19:18). Are these two independent restrictions or part of a more expansive prohibition? Although the Rishonim reckoned them as two לאוין, there are several Midrashic comments as well as both legal and exegetical comments that seem to indicate a seamless unity between them. We explore the passage, in its context and suggest a new perspective on the entire pericope of Lev. 19:17-18. Source sheet >>

Parashat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Timeless Message of Sa'ir HaMishtaleach #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Understanding the Mitzvah of Rebuke: Hashem's Policeman or Loving Brother? #3 - Midrash - "Kedoshim Tihiyu" - 3 Insights from the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Appreciating the Sanctity of Every Jew: An Amazing Teaching of the Lubavitcher Rebbe #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Lifnei Iver - Understanding the Parameters of the Prohibition

Yom HaAtzma'ut | מדיניות ומדינה - Statecraft and State, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Proper appreciation not only for the miracle of Jewish statehood but for the significance of the state in the larger scope of Jewish destiny and legacy is a vital preface to understanding the role of thanksgiving to Hashem for the precious gift of Medinat Yisrael. This shiur examines both steps - the significance of the State within Jewish thought and the obligation to give thanks to HaKadosh Barukh Hu for the modern redemptive process which we are witnessing, experiencing and, if we are zokheh, promoting and furthering. Sourcesheet >>

Yom HaShoah | Rav Asher Weiss on Emuna, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb What are the three things we must teach about the Shoah?

Pesach | As if We Came Out from Egypt - The Pedagogy of the Pilgrimage Festivals, by Rav Alan Haber What does it mean that we are to see ourselves as if WE left Egypt? Why does the Torah describe the 3 Regalim (Pilgrimage Festivals) in primarily agricultural terms? Why do we tell the story of the Exodus when bringing Bikkurim (First Fruits)? What does all of this have to do with our Pesach Seder? Shiur given to English-speaking students in Bar Ilan University.

Pesach | "Five" Phrases of Redemption, pre-Pesach zoom shiur by Rav Moshe Taragin, April 7, 2022 The core part of the seder which describes the actual exodus often gets "passed over". How can we learn about the actual liberation from the 4 pesukim known as Arami Oved Avi?

Pesach | עמלנו: אלו הבנים - The Depths of our Tragedy in Egypt, pre-Pesach shiur given over zoom by Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, April 7, 2022 What exactly is the level of suffering that Bnei Yisrael experienced in Egypt? Source cited is "Redemption, Prayer, Talmud Torah" in Tradition 17:2 (Spring 1978)

Pesach | How Many Matzot? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom There are two disputes between Rambam and the Tosafists regarding the Seder. Rambam maintains that the Pesach could be eaten all night, allowing for the "Afikoman" to be eaten quite late; Tosafot takes the position that the Pesach must be eaten by midnight; consequently, the final matza of the evening must be eaten by then. In what seems to an unrelated dispute, Rambam maintains that we use 2 matzot at our Seder whereas Tosafot argue that we need 3. In this shiur, we examine the role of matza in our commemoration and inquire as to how many different matzot there are in the story. We then use this inquiry to explain the odd inclusion of R. Elazar b. Azariah's promotion of remembering the Exodus every night... Source sheet >>

Pesach | Insights into the Haggada, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Pesach | Cleaning and Kashering for Pesach, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Pesach | The Four Sons Revisited, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom One of the most beloved and well-known passages in the Haggadah is the Midrash of the "Four Sons". We take a look at that Midrash "top-down," by first examining the context and text of the passages in the Torah and then suggesting what motivated the composer of the Midrash to create the four sons. We explore the variant versions of the Midrash, leading up to the popular version found in our Hagadah - and discover lots of surprises along the way. Source sheet >>

Special | Two Types of Chinuch, shiur given by Rav Mordechai Willig to the Overseas Students, followed by a short Q+A session.

Parashat Tazria Metzora with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Was Tzara'as a Physical or Spiritual Ailment? A Surprising Debate in the Rishonim #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Defining Greatness: How We Respond to Failure #3 - Midrash - Who Wants Life? Appreciating The Power of Speech #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Gift of Giving - A Remarkable Insight from R. Chaim Shmuelevitz #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is It Assur to Speak Lashon Hara?

Pesach | An Overview of the Halakhot of the Seder, part 1 of 3, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Hasmadah, Anavah and Ahavah: A Tribute to Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Reflections on various aspects of Torah - most notably hasmadah - in a shiur to 1st year students

How Many Questions? Re-examining the Mah Nishtnah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom One of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Hagadah is the "Four Questions" - which are introduced with the line מה נשתנה הלילה הזה מכל הלילות. But are there really four questions here? Examining the sources, including variant versions of the Mishnah and a careful reading of that source, suggests that perhaps there are fewer questions here - perhaps 3, perhaps 1 - and perhaps none at all! Source sheet >>

Parashat Shemini with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Keep Kosher? 3 Approaches #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Moshe Forgot Something - Cause for Embarrassment? #3 - Midrash - What Was So Bad About What Nadav V'avihu Did? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Appreciating Aharon's Apprehension: A Beautiful Insight from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Must One Drink Chalav Yisroel?

We gathered today to join Am Yisrael in mourning the loss of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky ztl. Hesped by Rav Moshe Taragin.

Parashat Tzav with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - "Tzav es Aharon" - Appreciating the Moment #2 - Modern Commentators - Korban Todah: Acknowledging the Crisis & the Salvation #3 - Midrash - How Can We Make Up for What We Are Missing Without Korbanos? #4 - Sparks of Musar - Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing #5 - Halacha - Special for Pesach - Shabbos Erev Pesach - How, What and When to Eat the Shabbos Meals

Haman: From Mikra to Midrash, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom From the time that we meet Amalek at Refidim to the Midrashic development of Amalek's most infamous scion, Haman, there are (at least) two chasms to bridge - from the genealogical Amalek to the Persian/Medean Haman and from Haman of Esther to the Haman of the Midrashim. We explore the textual basis for both of these spans and demonstrate how the Midrashim breathe life into the personae of Tanakh and reveal their contemporary relevance in every generation. Source sheet >>

Parashat Vayikra with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Do We Bring Korbanos? #2 - Modern Commentators - Korban Chatas: Understanding the Role of Shame #3 - Midrash - Hashem's Special Relationship With Moshe and The Jewish People #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Do We Need Forgiveness for Accidental Sins? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - "Nashim Somchos Reshus" - Can Women Perform Mitzvos That They Are Not Obligated In? #6 - Authenticity vs Artificiality in Avodas Hashem: A Lesson from Korbanos

Purim | An Halakhic Overview by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Zakhor | What are We Supposed to Remember, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The commandment to "remember that which Amalek did to you" is the focal point of the reading of "Parashat Zakhor" (Deut. 25:17-19) which is read on the Shabbat before Purim. The oddity of reading a passage which tells you that you must remember it - as opposed to reading the actual story of their attack (Ex. 17:8-16) is odd; odder yet is the self-defeating command to "wipe out the memory of Amalek" while concomitantly "Remember...do not forget". How can we wipe out a memory and then make sure to remember it? We explore what it is we are commanded to remember by using the Mitzvah of Retelling the story of Exodus, which seems to be the paradigm for the celebration of Purim. Along the way, several surprising observations help solve our puzzle. Source sheet >>

Kibud Av V'Eim and Personal Autonomy: When Parents and Children Disagree About Important Life Decisions, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Torah's Approach to Beauty #2 - Modern Commentators - "Seeing" Our Life Mission - An Amazing Insight from R. Moshe Feinstein #3 - Midrash - Betzalel's Wisdom - Practical and Principled #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Do We Really Miss the Mikdash? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Shabbos Invitations for non-Religious Guests #6 - Can There Be "Too Much of a Good Thing" in Avodas Hashem? A Remarkable Teaching from the Sefas Emes #7 - Contemporary Commentators - Why Did they Suspect Moshe of Stealing? A Powerful Insight from the Oznayim L'Torah

Pekudei | These are the Names - Siyyum on Sefer Shemot, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The conventions we use for naming the books of Humash - as well as the weekly readings - have little or nothing to do with the overall theme of the book (or "Parasha"); they are simply the first significant word in that text. Hazal had other names for the Humashim - e.g. תורת כהנים and משנה תורה. Nonetheless, we may be able to find a subcurrent of the theme of "the names of Bnei Yisrael" that ties together the opening passage with the concluding section and informs the overall theme of חומש שמות. This understanding may also grant additional meaning to the conventional cheer we give when concluding a חומש, taken from יואב's words - חזק ונתחזק! Source sheet >>

Vayakhel | A Defiant Act of Contrition, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The unusually lengthy description of the construction of the Mishkan, which occupies the last 6 chapters of Shemot, has been the subject of inquiry for millenia. By looking at the intensity and zealousness with which Am Yisrael responded to Mosheh's directive to donate and labor for this magnificent Divine abode, we take a view from a different perspective at the seemingly redundant details of the structure and appurtenances of the Mishkan, against the larger threat of God's withholding His immanent presence from among the people; highlighting Moshe Rabbenu's initiative in repairing the relationship between his flock and his Master. Source sheet >>

Kibud Av V'em: What, Why, and How, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Ki Tisa | The Luchot of...Testimony? Covenant? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The most vital component of the Mishkan is, without a doubt, the Aron - and the Aron's sanctity is underscored by the placement of the לוחות inside - but what are these לוחות? What is written on them? A careful read of the various passages concerning the לוחות - both the originals and the second set - reveal that much more than we typically assume was written there. In the shiur, we also discuss why the לוחות are called לוחות העדות - the "Tablets of Testimony" in ספר שמות, yet in ספר דברים they are called לוחות הברית - the "Tablets of the Covenant." Souce sheet >>

Parshat Ki Tisa with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - "The Sin of the Golden Calf" - How Could They Do It? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Appreciating the Gift of Shabbos #3 - Midrash - "Moshe's Face Radiated" - What Was the Source of HIs Light? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus & Mussar - The Essence of Teaching and the Key to Leading: Remarkable Insights from R. Gifter and the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Waiting in Between Meat and Milk

Tetzaveh | B'nei Yisrael's Presence in the Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The first two pesukim in Parashat Tetzaveh - the last two in chapter 27 of Shemot - seem to be out of place and are repeated, nearly verbatim, in Vayikra 24. A reexamination of what is stated and what is NOT stated in this passage sheds light on the symbolism of the contribution of Bnei Yisrael to the light and the association with Maamad Har Sinai. Soucesheet >>

Parshat Tetzaveh + Purim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Moshe's Missing Name: A Powerful Explanation from the Alshich #2 - Modern Commentators - Moshe Lives on Through All of Us: An Inspiring Teaching from the Kesav Sofer #3 - Midrash - The Symbolism of the Menorah: Learn Torah, Live Torah, and Share Torah #4 - Sparks of Mussar - "It's the Clothes that Make the Man": The Dual Focus of the Bigdei Kehunah #5 - SPECIAL FOR PURIM - Purim Seudah on Erev Shabbos - What's The Best Time?

Mordechai and Esther, by Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein What makes Purim a special yom tov and why is it a day of festivity and celebration? Why is Purim unique as opposed to other days of Jewish salvation? Why is the megilla called Megillat Esther and not Megillat Mordechai? A close examination of the Purim story within its historical context provides answers to these questions, by understanding Purim as a celebration of the renewal of the covenant between Israel and God.

Why Isn't It Almost Purim? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom A shiur in advance of Purim Katan.

Teruma | Mishpat and Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The Divine commands concerning the construction of a Mishkan are curiously juxtaposed and intertwined with the corpus of Law broadly referred to as "Mishpatim." We explore that association by tracing the chronology of The Stand at Sinai and the unique nature of the Mishkan which was the focal point of the commands given atop the mountain - and thereby identify the core telos of the Mishkan and the vital spirit which will ensure Hashem's presence among the people.

Anger - Avoid at All Costs, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela Companion shiur to last week's installment on Anava.

Parshat Teruma with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Symbolism of Mishkan: What's The Deeper Message? #2 - Modern Commentators - Torah Study: For All People and for All Times #3 - Midrash - What is the Purpose of the Mishkan? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - "It's the Thought that Counts" - A Profound Insight into Religious Observance from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Tearing Kriyah at the Kotel #6 - Sparks of Musar - The Blessing and Challenge of Giving Charity: Insights from the Beis HaLevi and the Alter of Kelm

Anava: Balancing Ego and Self-Confidence Part 1, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parshat Mishpatim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Mysterious and Mystical End of Parshas Mishpatim #2 - Modern Commentators - Balancing Tradition and Innovation - A Beautiful Thought from R. Moshe Feinstein #3 - Midrash - What's So Special About Mishpatim? 3 Insights of the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Appreciating Hashem's As a Loving Father - A Lesson Learned from the Jewish Slave #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Litigating in Secular Court: Why is It Assur and When is It Muttar? #6 - Sparks of Chasidus - Nezikin and the "Damage" We Do to Ourselves: An Incredible Teaching from the Nesivos Shalom

Mishpatim | Moshe's Encounters Read As Prologue, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Moshe's three encounters after his adoption into the palace are rife with internal difficulties; riding above all of that is the general question of what the text is trying to teach us by including these three incidents. A detailed and careful read of the text reveals numerous difficulties which perhaps point to a larger overall solution - which is proposed in this shiur. Source sheet >

Parshat Yitro with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Danger of Getting Too Close to the Mountain #2 - Contemporary Commentators - "Curious Yisro" and the Quest for Truth #3 - Midrash - The Midrashic Account of Matan Torah - 3 Powerful Messages #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Yisro - Learning the Lesson of Sustained Religious Growth #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Essence of Kiddush #6 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Interplay Between Torah and Achdus: A Remarkable Insight from Rav Meir Shapiro

Yitro | What Inspired Yitro? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The opening passage of פרשת יתרו is full of riddles - why are we given detailed information about Moshe's sons, including the introduction of Eliezer with the reason given for his name? What caused Yitro's reevaluation of his theology, such that he was ready to declare that "I now know that Hashem is greater than all the gods"? Why do חז"ל discuss and dispute "what he heard that caused him to come" when the simplest explanation is that he came to reunite Moshe with his wife and sons? We discuss all of this, including an analysis of the dispute regarding the canonization of the book of Esther. Source sheet >>

Tefillah: Appreciating and Improving Our Davening Part 2, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Beshalach | From Marah to Masah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The brief interlude at Marah, immediately following Shirat haYam, includes two challenging phrases - שם שם לו חק ומשפט and ושם נסהו. After surveying the classic commentaries - including the famous passage in the Mekhilta - explaining these phrases, we look further at the travels in the desert and propose a different perspective on the "test" that took place at Marah - and that impacted on the remainder of the desert journey. Source sheet >>

Tefillah: Appreciating and Improving Our Davening Part 1, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parshat Beshalach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Manna (מן): Blessing or Challenge? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Rav Kook's Approach to Kedushas Yisrael #3 - Midrash - The Special Role of Children in "Az Yashir": An Incredible Midrash #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Did the Jewish People Daven at the Yam Suf? A Profound (and Surprising) Insight from the Lubavitcher Rebbe #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Who, What and Why and Lechem Mishneh #6 - Sparks of Musar - Appreciating the Importance of Showing Appreciation: An Incredible Insight from the Steipler

Parshat Bo with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Nature of Miracles and the Miracle of Nature #2 - Modern Commentators - The Source of the Jewish People's Wealth: The Incredible Interpretation of the Vilna Gaon #3 - Midrash - Moshe & Ahron: A Paragon of Mutual Respect and Brotherly Love #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Jewish Approach to Physicality: A Beautiful Teaching from the Tolna Rebbe #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Should You Wear Tefillin All Day? #6 - Sparks of Musar - Why Did We Have to Leave Egypt in Such a Rush? An Important Insight from the Alter of Kelm

Bo | "What Is This Service...To You?" Reevaluating the "Wicked Son's" Question, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The famous interaction between a son and his father (Shemot 12:25-26) is interpreted in the Midrash Halakhah (and, subsequently, in the Hagadah) as a hostile one, with the son's "question" viewed as a confrontational remark - even though the Rishonim who comment on the passage in context read it sympathetically, ignoring the supposed adversarial implication of the word לכם. We propose a broader look at the entire passage, from 12:1-27, suggesting a different parsing of the son's question and an interrogative reading of the key word לכם. Source sheet >>

Gender Differences in Halakha Part 2, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Contemporary Educational Challenges, a panel discussion with Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, Rav Eli Weber and Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, held at the Melave Malka Nov 20, 2021, at Congregation Bnei Yeshurun, Teaneck, NJ. Joined by Rav Moshe Taragin. What has changed since these mechankhim began their careers? What is the greatest issue affecting chinuch today? What should be our policy on cellphone use? How do we educate about wokeness and new movements and theories?